FUEL, a distinguished non-profit organization committed to empowering marginalized youth, recently celebrated its 17th Foundation Day in Pune. The event was not only a celebration of their remarkable journey but also a testament to their unwavering dedication to uplift underprivileged communities through education, skill development, and vocational training.
Empowering Marginalized Youth: FUEL’s Remarkable Journey
FUEL, which stands for Foundation for Underprivileged and Economically Laggard, has left an indelible mark by significantly impacting the lives of over 45,976 girls across various states in India. Their mission revolves around education, employability, and empowerment, and their track record speaks volumes. FUEL has provided education, awarded 10,000+ scholarships, and equipped over 98,667 individuals with essential skills.
Transforming Lives through Skill Development
One of FUEL’s proudest achievements is facilitating placements for 62,753+ youths in diverse careers, supporting 350 entrepreneurs, and conducting a staggering 1 million career counseling sessions. Their Career EduConnect initiative is aimed at students from Class 7 to Class 12, offering valuable insights into education and career paths to address the issue of unemployment. Moreover, FUEL provides courses in Digital Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and 3D Printing, empowering marginalized communities for improved employability in the ever-evolving job market.
The Future Skills Summit: Pioneering Innovation in Education
The highlight of the Foundation Day celebration was the Future Skills Summit, a platform graced by renowned industry leaders and policymakers. The summit delved deep into discussions about future skills, talent acquisition, and innovative corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in education and skill development. Distinguished guests included Harshita Narvekar, Social Worker and Corporator BMC; Col. Rajesh Ohol, Vice-President of Hitachi Air Conditioning India; Sanjay Ojha, Vice President Corporate Communications of Bajaj Group; Parag Deshmukh, Director-International Business at Serum Institute of India; Paneesh Rao, Chief Sustainability Officer at LTI Mindtree; and Ketan Deshpande, Founder and Chairman of FUEL and FUEL Business School (FBS), along with Santhosh Huralikoppi, Chief Mentor at FUEL.
Investing in Future Leaders: Scholarships and Digital Skills Program
A poignant moment during the celebration was the awarding of scholarships to 90 deserving female students from underprivileged backgrounds. These scholarships were made possible through a collaborative effort involving FUEL, LTI Mindtree, and the Oracle Scholarship Program. They are specifically designed to support female PGDM students at FUEL Business School (FBS), enabling them to pursue higher education and promising careers.
Additionally, the event witnessed the unveiling of “FUEL Hope Stories,” a book that showcases the incredible determination and perseverance of FUEL students. Furthermore, FUEL launched the Saksham Digital Skill Program, equipping student leaders with essential skills in computer literacy, coding, data analysis, online communication, cybersecurity, and proficiency in digital tools and software applications.
Continuing the Journey of Empowerment
Ketan Deshpande, Founder and Chairman of FUEL and FUEL Business School, expressed his pride in the progress made in supporting underprivileged students. He emphasized the importance of continued efforts to ensure equal access to career opportunities for every student. This includes proactive initiatives like endowment scholarships, volunteer-guided internships, blended learning, and collaboration with social organizations for on-the-ground implementation.
